Pan-Seared Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Sauce
Easy pan-seared lemon herb chicken recipe ready in 40 minutes. Fresh rosemary, thyme, and garlic sauce—perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 pieces)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or additional broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and place them on a cutting board.
- 2
Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness of about three-quarters inch using a meat mallet.
- 3
Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper, distributing evenly.
- 4
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, about 2 minutes.
- 5
Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear without moving them for 6-7 minutes until the undersides develop a deep golden-brown crust.
- 6
Flip the chicken and sear the other side for another 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- 7
Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate and set aside to rest for 5 minutes.
- 8
Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- 9
Pour in the white wine or additional broth, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
- 10
Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, and oregano to the skillet and stir well to combine.
- 11
Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it reduces slightly and the flavors meld together.
- 12
Whisk in the cold butter, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce becomes silky and slightly glossy.
- 13
Return the rested chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce, and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
- 14
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- 15
Divide the chicken among serving plates, spoon the lemon herb sauce generously over each piece, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs | Thighs contain more collagen and healthy fats, providing better anti-inflammatory compounds and superior flavor depth |
| Unsalted butter | Ghee or avocado oil | Both options are higher in monounsaturated fats and have higher smoke points, reducing inflammation markers and improving digestive health |
| Dry white wine | Fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar | Eliminates alcohol while maintaining acidity; apple cider vinegar contains beneficial probiotics and supports blood sugar regulation |
| All fresh herbs | 50% fresh, 50% dried Mediterranean herb blend | Dried herbs concentrate antioxidants and reduce prep time without significantly compromising anti-inflammatory benefits |
| Chicken broth | Bone broth or vegetable broth | Bone broth provides additional collagen and amino acids that support gut healing; vegetable broth offers lighter profile with prebiotic benefits |
| Kosher salt | Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt | Contains trace minerals that support electrolyte balance and reduce sodium retention compared to processed salt |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 372 |
| Total Fat | 19g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 125mg |
| Sodium | 485mg |
| Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 42g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
